A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zagreb vs. San Diego for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Zagreb or San Diego?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zagreb and San Diego. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a under-rated, local, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Diego

San Diego is a hip, dynamic, and energetic coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Zagreb and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zagreb or San Diego?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Diego than Zagreb. San Diego is bigger than Zagreb, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Diego is better known for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Zagreb is more popular for its food, historical sights, and shopping. San Diego is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Also, San Diego is famous for The San Diego Zoo. Zagreb is well known for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options.

How is Zagreb different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Diego and Zagreb. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Zagreb or San Diego?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Zagreb and San Diego.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Zagreb. There are many historical sights around town, particularly in the historic Upper Town. Make sure you visit the Zagreb Cathedral, the Museum of Broken Relationships, Lotrscak Tower, and the historic Stone Gate.

San Diego offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

Is the Food Better in Zagreb or San Diego? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zagreb is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Zagreb has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food is heartier than you might expect with many recipes that involve stew or dumplings. Cheese and meat are common ingredients as well, with far less seafood than you'll find in the coastal cities. Popular dishes include Zagrebački odrezak (a rolled up ham, cheese, and veal sandwich), Štrukli (dough filled with cheese), and Ajngemahtec (vegetarian stew).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Zagreb or San Diego has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Zagreb know how to have a good time. There are a huge number of live music venues, clubs, and bars around town where locals hang out late into the evening. The city's nightlife has a more local vibe than other Croatian cities, so you can party with the students and residents and get a true feel for the Croatian culture.

The nightlife in San Diego has something for everybody. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Music?

San Diego is a great destination for its live music scene. However, Zagreb is not a live music destination.

San Diego has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Zagreb is not a live music destination.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a good destination for its resorts. However, Zagreb is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, San Diego makes a nice vacation spot. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Zagreb is not a resort destination.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zagreb is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in San Diego. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Zagreb is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Zagreb is not a beach destination.

San Diego offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is great for its old town. However, San Diego does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Zagreb. The upper town is filled with charm, cafes, and historical landmarks such as St. Mark Church, Kamenita Vrata (the Stone Gate), and the cathedral.

San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Zagreb is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around San Diego. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Zagreb is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zagreb or San Diego?

Zagreb is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping areas.

Zagreb is well-known for its shopping. The city has a huge number of shopping centers where you'll find retail shops selling international brands, clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.

Many visitors go to San Diego to go shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Diego is very family-friendly. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

Zagreb offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with parks where kids can run around. There are also kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Illusions and markets that are fun for the whole family. While it doesn't have the coastal activities that many Croatian towns offer, this is a unique city in its own way.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

San Diego is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

Zagreb is a good city for couples to visit. Filled with history and beautiful parks, this often overlooked Croatian city actually has a lot that couples can enjoy. The historical monuments offer a glimpse into the country's past and the markets let you experience a more authentic side to what has become a very touristy country.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Zagreb. Because it's not the most touristy city, prices are reasonable. There are also a wide range of hostels in town where you can meet other backpackers and enjoy the fun environment.

Plenty of budget travelers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Students?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

San Diego is a very popular place to visit for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Zagreb is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's an endless supply of bars and cafes where students hang out. This is a great student city that offers access to many beautiful parts of Croatia and Europe in general.

Is Zagreb or San Diego Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zagreb is great for times when you don't have a car. However, San Diego is not a good destination for its public transit.

The public transit in Zagreb can get you around easily. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Is Zagreb or San Diego a more walkable city?

Zagreb is great for its high level of walkability. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its ease of walking around.

Zagreb is a very walkable city. It's a city that lives outdoors. It's very walkable with many outdoor cafes and parks where you can take a stroll.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Zagreb Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Zagreb?

How long in Zagreb or San Diego?

In either Zagreb or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Zagreb because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Zagreb, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Zagreb. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Diego, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in San Diego than Zagreb. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Diego that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zagreb than San Diego if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Zagreb.

One day in Zagreb or San Diego?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Zagreb. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of San Diego. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zagreb or San Diego?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the local destination of Zagreb. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

San Diego is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Zagreb or San Diego?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Zagreb. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Zagreb or San Diego?

Zagreb is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of San Diego. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagreb is in Europe and San Diego is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zagreb would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagreb and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego than you might in Zagreb.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is San Diego Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zagreb or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Zagreb. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb and San Diego, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Zagreb or San Diego?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Zagreb or San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Zagreb during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

Zagreb is around the same temperature as San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zagreb. In the summer, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Zagreb gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.

Zagreb usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zagreb or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zagreb and San Diego. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zagreb is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zagreb in October average around 13°C (55°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Zagreb gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zagreb usually receives more rain than San Diego. Zagreb gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zagreb or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zagreb as well as San Diego. Many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. In January, Zagreb is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 1°C (35°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the winter, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Zagreb gets 54 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Zagreb usually gets more rain in January than San Diego. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zagreb or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Zagreb are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Zagreb is cooler than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Zagreb gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zagreb usually receives more rain than San Diego. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Zagreb